Small is beautiful...

With a small class of four women, including myself, I expected September 2008's workshop to be a quiet affair. And it almost was except for the roaring talent that roused our novel quartet. One of the participants was competition winner, Deborah Garber. This dark unassuming woman had won by submitting a tale telling of her time in Seville. It was moody mystical piece, a quality which we quickly realised coloured much of her work. Her shamanic stories with their quiet quirkiness belied brutal lost realities of Spain's hidden history. Expect to see Deborah's name on a bookshelf near you soon.

The work of Elizabeth, our Leeds lass, was equally evocative. Not a shy lass, she blatantly broached taboo subjects in lyric poems and sharp prose. Using exercises that challenged and compelled us, Paul's guidance was elemental in unearthing our individual voices. While one-on-one sessions ensured we left with advice that advanced our personal writing projects. As always, Saturday evening was a fun affair. A group half hour meditation session relaxed us before a buffet feast of ribs, quiche, salad and wine, while local musicians serenaded us with a mix of Spanish and classical music. Another weekend of words and wonder.